This was something of a challenge. though fun to do, as there’s a lot of symbology packed into this card, much of it in the fine detail. Also getting the sphinxes to work took a few iterations. I’ve changed the feel a fair bit (most obviously making the charioteer a woman) but all the details are still there, albeit in altered form.

The black and white sphinxes are balance, also power and protection.They draw the chariot with its canopy of stars symbolising celestial influence. The charioteer wears a crown of leaves with a star (authority, intellect and spiritual attainment) and her cloak clasps are moons (time, unseen forces and the outside world).Her clothing also sports alchemical symbols representing transformation. The charioteer also uses no reins, but drives the chariot through force of will, symbolised by the rod. I’ve topped it with a diamond (purpose and clarity) which seemed appropriate.

The city in the background (I chose the picturesque Matera in Italy for those who are interested!) represents leaving behind material concerns to pursue spiritual goals.

The charioteer’s breast plate bears wings (inspiration) and the yoni/ lingam symbol (unification and harmony between opposites). These are traditionally shown on the chariot itself but have been moved.The chariot also conventionally has a solar disk (illumination), which now forms the headdress for one of the sphinxes.I toyed with using Classical winged sphinxes, but it wasn’t possible to hitch them to the chariot, so I’ve stuck with the Egyptian version… somewhat altered.

DS3 (except for some prep work on the backdrop image), best at high resolution. « Less